Shout Out

I just want to take a moment to give a shout-out to my dentist. I know, that is really weird, but I have to give props where props are due.

Growing up we went to the dentist religiously. Which would explain why I never had a cavity until I was no longer living under my parents' roof. Once I went away to college, and then got married, going to the dentist just wasn't a priority. Finally, a few months before we moved away from Charleston I went to the dentist - I think I was starting to get paranoid that I had mouth cancer or something. Nope, but I did have a cavity.

The dentist has never been a place I wanted to be. Not even just for cleanings. There's just something about the dentist. Sorry to all you dentists and hygenists out there - it's nothing personal. So I was particularly terrified at the thought of having a cavity filled and getting a SHOT in your MOUTH which sounds UNGODLY.

We didn't really have a choice in dentists, thanks military, and the dentist I went to seemed busy and old, not a good combination. He shrugged off my sensitivity to ephedrine products (my heart rate increases very rapidly if I have too much, making it likely that I will pass out), saying that he was sure there wasn't enough in the numbing medication to affect me.

So couple the medication with the fact that I was a nervous wreck, I was sweating, my heart was racing, I was repeating the Lord's Prayer over and over in my head... you get the picture. And then once he got going, it seems he didn't even numb me all the way. I could feel the sensitivity in the tooth he was feeling - it didn't hurt but it felt very cold and sensitive - I don't know how to describe it. He stopped what he was doing and proceeded to blame it on the nerve in my mouth saying that everyone's nerve is in a different place and that's why he couldn't find it to numb it properly. Needless to say, I did what every normal person would do after that experience. I didn't go back to the dentist until four years later.

Well, maybe a normal person would have found another dentist. But I was scarred!!

I finally got my nerve up to get a cleaning. I was pregnant with Hunter and knew that it was really in mine and my baby's best interest for me to get my oral care under control. Of course after another four years of not seeing a dentist, I now have a cavity in each side of my mouth - top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. Learn from this, kids.

My present dentist was aware of my ephedrine issue (uses a different type of medication that doesn't have any ingredient linked to that), but still made sure that when he numbed me a hygenist was talking me through it, he kept checking on me to make sure I was feeling okay, etc. He was extremely gentle and told me exactly what he was doing during the entire procedure.

I just suddenly realized what a BORING post this is going to be. So I'm going to skip to the good stuff.

If you need a dentist, I highly, Highly, HIGHly recommend Allison, Allison and Hulihan. It's a father, daughter and her husband.

15 Aviemore Dr
Pinehurst NC 28374
910-295-4343

The hygenists are incredible. I've had a different one at each visit but it's like they have to take classes in being personable. Do they?? Dr. Craig Allison has done each of the fillings I've had to endure and they have been completely painless and I just can't tell you how much better he's made me feel about getting my oral stuff under control. I can tell you this - I will never go six months without seeing the dentist now. Now that I realize not all dentists are hacks.

I know this is the most boring blog post ever, but if you have a great experience somewhere, I think you should share it. Even if it's just your dentist.